Johnson, Leila Hope (Kennedy) Aug 6, 1921 - Oct 23, 2017

Hope was born to Willard Kennedy and Charlotte (Larson) Kennedy at home near Craig, NE. She had two siblings, James (Jim) and Nonie. Hope graduated from Craig High School in 1939. Hope graduated Cum Laude from Midland College in Fremont, NE in 1943. She taught school at Mead, NE and was introduced by a fellow teacher to Milford Johnson. They were married December 1, 1946 after Milford's discharge from the U.S. Army. To this union were born 2 sons, Alan and Mark, both graduates of UNMC. The family lived on a farm near Mead NE. Hope was active in Alma Lutheran Church groups and never missed a child's sports or other school activity. Her love of sports continued throughout later life, following the Huskers, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Jordan Larson, and the Kansas City Royals. Hope was preceded in death by her parents and brother Jim. She is survived by husband Milford, sons and daughters-in-laws Alan and Jan and Mark Kenita, grandchildren: Matthew, Elizabeth, and Andrew, great-grandson Oliver John Clark, sister and brother-in-law Nonie and Ronnie Rogers, sister-in-law Margaret Kennedy, and many other family and friends. MEMORIAL SERVICE: 11am Saturday October 28, 2017 at Alma Lutheran Church 219 W 5th Street Mead, NE 68041.

Orginially published in the Omaha World-Herald on 10/25/2017.